Well, PNW, maybe this time you'll come through for me

"Just Jeepin'" (macintux)
09/10/2020 at 23:55 • Filed to: maybe this time, Craigslist

After drooling over the classic Jeeps available in Washington, a manual XJ was just posted to CL between Seattle and Everett. Waiting to hear back; hopefully it didn’t sell in the 30 minutes since it was posted, but given the affordable price, even discovering it that quickly might not be fast enough.

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On that note: has anyone used escrow.com or a similar service? How in the hell does buying a car across the country actually work? Argh, such stress.

DISCUSSION (38)

Just Jeepin' > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 00:13

Or maybe the seller’s going to ghost me because who needs the hassle of dealing with a random stranger across the country. Tap tap tap c’mon guy I can’t stay up all night.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 00:27

You'll bag one eventually. They sell so fast it's hard to get one locked in for a fly in.

Just Jeepin' > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
09/11/2020 at 00:33

No way I’m flying in, just shipping.

One also popped up in western Illinois tonight, will text them tomorrow. That’s much more practical to visit.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 00:36

To be honest if be wary of out 9f state buyers too.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 00:37

What is up with those rims ? Is that like a 9-inch offset in the front? Looks clean, but no pics underhood or interior... I’m sure you’ve already noticed this...

Just Jeepin' > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
09/11/2020 at 00:39

Yeah, I’ve asked for more pics, and yeah, those front tires really look odd.

But, barring something that’s truly catastrophic, for $2k it’s practically free.

Minus shipping and other headaches, of course.

Just Jeepin' > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
09/11/2020 at 00:39

Yeah, I suspect the seller has gotten 5 local inquiries already. Why bother with me?

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 00:57

This looks sketchy for reasons . Anything that runs is worth $3k-3.5k here, no matter how old or bad the condition. The PNW tax is so substantial that I’ve considered the fact that you could probably buy cheap cars in Los Angeles, ship them here, and turn a solid profit.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 00:57

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/d/portland-sale-pending-jeep-cherokee-2/7188831264.html

https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/d/hillsboro-1992-jeep-cherokee-sport-2dr/7183131503.html

https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/ctd/d/portland-1994-jeep-cherokee-4x4-sport/7177843203.html

https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/d/vancouver-1986-jeep-cherokee-comanche/7185522016.html

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/seattle-1987-jeep-comanche-no-rust-144k/7184798065.html

Just Jeepin' > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
09/11/2020 at 01:00

Yeah, I suspect either the seller grossly misjudged the market and is getting hammered, or really wants a buyer to be there in person for good or not-so-good reasons. Ah well.

Just Jeepin' > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
09/11/2020 at 01:01

Most are sadly either automatics or 4 cylinders. The one that meets all my requirements is, of course, sale pending, because of course it is.

Appreciate the links.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 01:03

Spring seems to be a better time, there are lots of 2-doors in Portland.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 01:04

Other headaches like a head job...

Those rims are so funky that even you noticed them!

Just Jeepin' > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
09/11/2020 at 01:05

I’d like to have one before winter, but we’ll see. There are far worse problems out there than my inability to locate a manual XJ.

Speaking of, good luck with your wife’s job. I just found out my employer is being bought, but I’m cautiously optimistic it won’t have any impact on me.

But, this year, everything makes me nervous.

Just Jeepin' > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
09/11/2020 at 01:08

Yes, even me.

Here’s the other one that appeared tonight. It’s a bit steeper than I’d like, but the fact that it’s only 4 hours away is a huge plus compared to everything else I’ve spotted recently.

(Except for that local seller who won’t reply to any of my emails argh.)

https://quadcities.craigslist.org/cto/d/kewanee-very-nice-1998-jeep-cherokee-xj/7194042665.html

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 01:10

Had I known that 25 year old pickups and 30-year old XJs would become hot commodities back when I was I was in my 20s, I would have scooped up something. Anything! But nooooooooooo. Three Tercels and a Celica.

Just Jeepin' > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
09/11/2020 at 01:12

I regret I don’t have any photos of my Corolla FX to share. That was a fantastic little car.

I cross-shopped it with a Yugo and Camaro. Eccentric little car lot, that was. I don’t remember whether those were the only three manual cars, or what led me to them specifically.

Tripper > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 04:51

I looked as escrow.com when I bought the 02 but we had already agreed on a wire it was also in Amsterdam and I doubt the seller would have been into it.

On shipping...do some homework here, the worst part of the 02s journey was the pickup from port of Baltimore until the drop off at my house outside of Philadelphia.

Looking for shipping “quotes” online is like doing the same for insurance. Yeah just give us your info so we can pepper you w calls.

Depending on the price of the car I’d just use PayPal. That is how I paid the deposit to the guy for the 02.

NKato > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 05:34

My employer was bought, they promised no changes or layoffs. A year later, I was laid off.

Not exactly impressive.

If your company was bought, expect cost cutting to occur after the restructuring.

Just Jeepin' > NKato
09/11/2020 at 06:35

Yeah, it’s definitely concerning. Fortunately I make money for them as a contractor with one of their bigger customers, so there’s no immediate panic, but there are no guarantees in this modern world.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 08:43

I don't blame them as scammers are usually out of state and or country too.

Speed > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 09:04

I can’t tell from the interior shot if it’s a 4x4, but it’s a stick. Dirty, but cheap.

Kinja'd!!!

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 09:30

I like that one far and away the best of any you’ve shown me. Far and away. Four doors and appropriate rims and almost entirely straight. And white is best color.

Just Jeepin' > Speed
09/11/2020 at 09:31

Interesting, thanks. I keep forgetting to do a check on FB. I disabled my account a couple of years ago so it’s usually a hassle to get in contact with someone.

Just Jeepin' > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
09/11/2020 at 09:41

Ugh, white. #enotacolor

Speed > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 09:52

I’ll hit him up and let you know what he says. If it’s a 4x4, I’ll get the contact info for you.

Just Jeepin' > Speed
09/11/2020 at 09:55

Thanks. Are you local? Any chance you could take a look at it?

Just Jeepin' > Speed
09/11/2020 at 09:56

The other thing that really matters to me is the straight 6: if it’s a 4 cylinder, not interested.

Speed > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 10:06

I’ve got my filters set for 6 cyl, manual and 4x4. Unfortunately it’s over 4hrs away from me (Somerset, KY). I was just casting a wide net to see what popped up.

Just Jeepin' > Speed
09/11/2020 at 10:08

Really appreciate it. You, Rusty, and bored always have my back and that’s awesome.

Speed > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 10:19

You bet! What kind of budget do you have? I’ve seen a few that weren’t for sale locally that I thought about approaching the owners on.

Just Jeepin' > Speed
09/11/2020 at 10:24

Well, I just now heard back from someone selling one in Illinois, and that sounds very promising, so maybe by this weekend this is all moot.

But, I’d say for the right XJ (all the usual criteria plus a well-documented, reasonable build of a few inch lift + other upgrades) I could stretch to 6k. I’m kicking myself for not offering one like that in Montana 1k more than he was asking before someone else could snatch it up.

For a stock XJ, like the one in Illinois, 4k is about my upper limit, although given how rare they are I’m going to be flexible (read, desperate enough to cave in) on both limits for a really clean example.

Speed > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 10:55

Affirmative. Hopefully this one in IL will go well and the hunt will conclude. You’re right about finding clean manuals though. I had no idea how beat the candidate pool had become. You can’t throw a rock without finding a decent automatic, but standards? Woof. That said, don’t overpay. They’re still out there and you’ll eventually find one. You already have something to drive so it’s not like you’re hard pressed to find something quickly.

Just Jeepin' > Speed
09/11/2020 at 11:07

It’s all but official on this one now. He’s taking it to an inspection Monday morning, but that’s just me being cautious. Clearly someone who cares a bout his Jeep.

But, it’s a 4 hour drive each way , so I want to make sure when I drag someone out there to help drive it back that I’m not coming home empty handed. That’d be a long day for everyone involved.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 11:15

If y ou cannot notice whether it has wheels on it or not, how can you notice what color it is??

Just Jeepin' > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
09/11/2020 at 11:17

I don’t need a walking stick. I’m not that blind.

Good news: it’s all but certain I’m buying it. He’s taking it to an inspection Monday morning, I’ve offered to send him a deposit.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Just Jeepin'
09/11/2020 at 11:28

The white one?

Just Jeepin' > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
09/11/2020 at 11:34

Sorry, yeah, the white one. Never heard from the Washington seller.